Tag: education

Mike Stephen talks with: Turning the Page Chicago managing director Kylia Kummer about engaging families with public schools to ensure a high-quality public education; Keller Science Action Center at the The Field Museum social science coordinator Alexis Winter about “A Monarch’s View of the City” and the conservation efforts to save this important pollinator; and Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 1960s all-girl garage band The Sunshine Sequence for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss the fact that O’Hare International Airport is really stepping up its food game. This week’s local music is provided music provided by Jaime Rojo. WGN Radio host John Williams bumps into OTL host Mike Stephen at O’Hare International Airport… but they did not dine at The Publican. [photo circa August 3, 2011] To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks with: Midwest High Speed Rail Association executive director Richard Harnish about a potential express train to O’Hare and beyond; Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about The Wolfgang saxophonist Eddie Shaw for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and Hampshire High School industrial technology teacher Mike Jakubowski about preparing students for real world. Meanwhile, we try to figure out if we still have a MySpace page while also discussing Pizza Pizzazz, frozen pizzas, and questionable Rogers Park establishments. This week’s local music is provided by the Poison Boys. OTL host Mike Stephen III encourages his son Mike Stephen IV to consider a career in industrial technology with a toy hammer. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks with: retired art teacher, union guy, and blogger Fred Klonsky about Governor Rauner and Mayor Emanuel teaming up to bust the Chicago Teachers Union and more; journalist Evan F. Moore about his Chicago Reader interview with three African-American cops caught between black and blue; and Logan Square Preservation president Andrew Schneider about an ongoing fight to remove eyesore billboards from the neighborhood. Meanwhile, we pay tribute to Dan Turner, a personal friend and social justice activist; and we wish Mike’s mom a happy birthday! This week’s local music is provided by Jodee Lewis. OTL host Mike Stephen takes a selfie under a blacked-out billboard in Logan Square. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen talks with: Chicago’s 45th Ward alderman John Arena about the city’s finances and why the Progressive Caucus is urging the Emanuel administration to reconsider its plans to pay interest rate swap termination penalties; Jenner Academy of the Arts principal Robert Croston about school diversity and what it takes to produce more black teachers; and Handmade Market organizer Heather Flett about what you can find at one of the longest-running craft markets in town. Meanwhile, we defend our neighbors against RoadSnacks and their “10 Worst Chicago Suburbs” list. This week’s local music is provided by the Ben Marshall Band. OTL host Mike Stephen reps his beautiful yet economical hometown of Elmwood Park, Illinois. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.